Apparatuses for dispensing a paper product and another item

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for dispensing a paper product and another item comprises a body defining a slot therein. The slot is configured to receive a bar therethrough. The body comprises a back and an adjustment assembly. A portion of the adjustment assembly is positioned within the slot and is biased away from the back. The body comprises a top comprising a tab extending therefrom. The tab is configured to engage a portion of a container configured to receive one or more of the items. The apparatus comprises a paper product hanger extending from the body. The paper product hanger is configured to receive a paper product.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.61/474,857 filed on Apr. 13, 2011, the entire disclosure of which isfully incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to apparatuses for dispensingand, more particularly, relates to apparatuses for dispensing a paperproduct and another item.

BACKGROUND

Disposable paper products or other items in the form of paper towels,toilet tissue, wipes, and table napkins find great utility among userswho value affordability, ease of use, and disposability. Such paperproducts or other items are used in virtually every household, includingin kitchens, bathrooms, dining rooms, and garages, for example. Otheritems, such as adult wet wipes, baby wet wipes, and cleaning wet wipes,for example, are commonly sold in containers or flexible packages. Thesecontainers or packages function to maintain the wipes “wet” orsufficiently saturated before use and generally have some type of sealsor closures thereon. If the containers are left open to the environmentfor any significant period of time, the moisture within or on the wipescan evaporate, thereby leaving at least the exposed wipes dry or mostlydry. Some consumers place current containers of wipes in bathrooms, suchas on the back of a toilet, on a vanity, or in a bathroom cabinet, forexample. When the wipes are used as sanitary tissues for users sittingon a toilet, this placement of the wipes may be inconvenient orcumbersome. It would be desirable to provide apparatuses for dispensingone or more paper products, such as toilet tissue, and one or more otheritems, such as wet wipes, that would allow more convenient dispensing.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment, the present disclosure is directed, in part, to anapparatus for dispensing a paper product and another item. The apparatuscomprises a body defining a slot therein. The slot is configured toreceive a paper product bar therethrough. The body comprises a backforming a portion of a perimeter of the slot and an adjustment assembly.A portion of the adjustment assembly is positioned within the slot andis biased away from the back. The body comprises a top comprising a tabextending therefrom. The tab is configured to engage a portion of acontainer configured to receive one or more items. The apparatuscomprises a paper product hanger extending from the body. The paperproduct hanger is configured to retain a roll of a paper productthereon.

In one embodiment, the present disclosure is directed, in part, to anapparatus for dispensing a paper product and another item. The apparatuscomprises a body defining a slot therein. The slot is configured toreceive a paper product bar. The body comprises a back and a supportextending from the back. The support is movable between a first positionand a second position. In the first position, the support is a firstdistance from the back. In the second position, the support is a seconddistance from the back. The first distance is greater than the seconddistance. The body comprises a top comprising a tab configured to engagea portion of a container configured to receive one or more items. Theapparatus comprises a paper product hanger extending from the body. Thepaper product hanger is configured to retain a paper product thereon.

In one embodiment, the present disclosure is directed, in part, to anapparatus for dispensing a paper product and another item. The apparatuscomprises a body comprising a first side wall comprising a firstprojection extending therefrom and a second side wall comprising asecond projection extending therefrom. The first and second projectionsare configured to attach to a paper product holder. The body comprises aback, a support extending from the back, and a top comprising a tabextending therefrom. The support is movable relative to the back. Thetab is configured to engage a portion of a container configured toreceive one or more items. The apparatus comprises a paper producthanger extending from the body. The paper product hanger is configuredto retain a paper product thereon.

In one embodiment, the present disclosure is directed, in part, to acontainer for one or more items. The container comprises a cavitydefined in the container and a top defining an opening. The cavity isconfigured to receive the one or more items. The one or more items aredispensable from the cavity through the opening. The container comprisesa bottom wall and an indent formed in the bottom wall. The indentextends into the cavity.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of the presentdisclosure, and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparentand the disclosure itself will be better understood by reference to thefollowing description of non-limiting embodiments of the disclosuretaken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an apparatus for dispensing a paperproduct and another item engaged with a paper product holder, acontainer configured to receive one or more items, and a roll of a paperproduct in accordance with one non-limiting embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus of FIG. 1, taken alongline 2-2 of FIG. 1, in accordance with one non-limiting embodiment;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the apparatus for dispensing apaper product and another item, the container configured to receive oneor more items, and the roll of a paper product of FIG. 1 in accordancewith one non-limiting embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a side perspective view of the apparatus for dispensing apaper product and another item of FIG. 1 in accordance with onenon-limiting embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a cut-away perspective view of the apparatus for dispensing apaper product and another item of FIG. 4 in accordance with onenon-limiting embodiment;

FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional illustration of the engagement of anengagement member extending from a shelf-like surface and a recess in arecessed bottom surface of a container in accordance with onenon-limiting embodiment;

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of an apparatus for dispensing apaper product and another item, a container configured to receive one ormore items, and a roll of a paper product in accordance with onenon-limiting embodiment;

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of an apparatus for dispensing apaper product and another item, a container configured to receive one ormore items, and a roll of a paper product in accordance with onenon-limiting embodiment;

FIG. 8A is a bottom view of the container of FIG. 1 in accordance withone non-limiting embodiment;

FIG. 8B is a partial bottom view of the container of FIG. 8Aillustrating a projection and a recess in a wall of the container inaccordance with one non-limiting embodiment;

FIG. 8C is a cross-sectional view of the container of FIG. 8B, takenalong line 8C-8C of FIG. 8B, in accordance with one non-limitingembodiment;

FIG. 9 is rear view of an apparatus for dispensing a paper product andanother item in accordance with one non-limiting embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a side view of the apparatus of FIG. 9 in accordance with onenon-limiting embodiment; and

FIG. 11 is an illustration of a cut away view of a container inaccordance with one non-limiting embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various non-limiting embodiments of the present disclosure will now bedescribed to provide an overall understanding of the principles of thestructure, function, manufacture, and use of the apparatuses fordispensing a paper product and another item are disclosed herein. One ormore examples of these non-limiting embodiments are illustrated in theaccompanying drawings. Those of ordinary skill in the art willunderstand that the apparatuses for dispensing a paper product andanother item specifically described herein and illustrated in theaccompanying drawings are non-limiting example embodiments and that thescope of the various non-limiting embodiments of the present disclosureare defined solely by the claims. The features illustrated or describedin connection with one non-limiting embodiment may be combined with thefeatures of other non-limiting embodiments. Such modifications andvariations are intended to be included within the scope of the presentdisclosure.

In various embodiments, the present disclosure, in part, providesapparatuses for dispensing one or more paper products, such as toilettissue or paper towels, for example, and at least one other item, suchas wet wipes, dry wipes, or cleaning wipes, for example. The apparatusescan be used in a bathroom setting, a kitchen setting, a garage setting,a workshop setting, or any other suitable setting and, in oneembodiment, can be engagable with an existing paper product holdercomprising a paper product bar without the use of any tools. The paperproduct holder can be a toilet tissue holder comprising a toilet tissuebar, a paper towel holder comprising a paper towel bar, or any othersuitable paper product holder. The paper product holder can extend froma wall or can be recessed into the wall. The apparatuses can be engagedwith the existing paper product bar and can comprise one or moreadditional paper product bars or holders for retaining a paper productor a roll of a paper product therein. In one embodiment, the additionalpaper product bars can engage a core of a roll of a paper product. Theapparatuses of the present disclosure can also be attachable tocontainers of items, such as containers of wet wipes or cleaning wipes,for example. In various embodiments, the containers can be rigid,semi-rigid, or flexible or portions thereof can be rigid, semi-rigid, orflexible.

In various embodiments, the containers can comprise one or more rigid orflexible doors configured to seal a cavity, such as an item-receivingcavity, of the containers from an external environment to maintain anyitems within the cavity, such as wet wipes, for example, in a wet,saturated, and/or dry state and/or to protect the items fromcontamination (e.g., dirt or bacteria). In various embodiments, thecontainers of the present disclosure can be reusable by refilling thecavity with additional items, or can be designed for a single use. Thesingle use containers can be disposed of after use of all or most of theitems positioned therein or when the shelf-life of the items hasexpired.

The term “item” as used herein means one or more fibrous substrates,including nonwoven and woven fibrous substrates comprised of cellulosicfibers, synthetic fibers, other fibers, mixtures thereof, and/or othermaterials. The items can comprise paper towels, toilet tissue, wipes,such as cleaning, scrubbing, dry, and/or wet wipes, disposable handtowels, sanitary napkins, diapers, table napkins, cleaning products,and/or make-up removal products. If more than one fibrous substrate isprovided, the items can be in stacks or rolls. Various items can besingle-ply structures or multi-ply structures.

The dispensers of the present disclosure can also be configured todispense lotions, soaps, liquids, antimicrobial materials, antibacterialmaterials, medicinal agents, and/or medications.

The term “wet wipes” as used herein means any fibrous substrate, whetherwoven or nonwoven, having a percent of moisture by weight in the rangeof about 10 percent to about 1,000 percent and, specifically recitingall 1 percents within that range. The wet wipes can be adult wet wipes,such as CHARMIN® FRESHMATES® manufactured by The Procter & GambleCompany, that can be used as sanitary tissues, baby or child wet wipes,such as PAMPERS® wipes or PAMPERS® KANDOO® wipes, and/or other wetwipes, such as wet wipes for cleaning or scrubbing, for example. The wetwipes can be comprised of cellulosic fibers, synthetic fibers, mixturesthereof, and/or other materials or fibers. The wet wipes can besingle-ply structures or multi-ply structures. In one embodiment, thewet wipes can be flushable down a toilet. In various embodiments, acomposition or a component can be provided to or formed with the wetwipes during or after manufacturing to make the wipes moist or wet. Suchcompositions or components can be water, lotions, cleaning products,medicinal agents, antimicrobial agents, antibacterial agents, soaps,and/or mixtures thereof, for example.

The term “paper product” as used herein means one or more fibroussubstrates, including nonwoven and woven fibrous substrates, comprisedof cellulosic fibers, synthetic fibers, other fibers, and/or mixturesthereof. The paper products may comprise paper towels, toilet tissue,facial tissue, wipes, and/or disposable hand towels. The paper productsmay form a roll and be disposed on or wrapped about a core. In variousembodiments, the paper products can be coreless. The paper products canbe single-ply structures or multi-ply structures.

In various embodiments, the items or wet wipes can be provided within orplaced within the item-receiving cavities of the containers in rolls,stacks, folded sheets, interfolded sheets, semi-interfolded sheets,perforated sheets, and/or unfolded sheets, for example. The foldedsheets can be C-folded sheets, L-folded sheets, Z-folded sheets, orW-folded sheets, for example. Any suitable number of items can beprovided within or placed within an item-receiving cavity of acontainer. When one item is dispensed from a container, another item canbe moved into a partially dispensed position (e.g., interfolded,semi-interfolded, or perforated sheets of wet wipes). One or more itemscan be dispensed at a time using the apparatuses and/or the containersof the present disclosure. In one embodiment, one hand or two handdispensing can be accomplished using the apparatuses of the presentdisclosure.

Although the present disclosure discusses toilet tissue and wet wipedispensing, as an example, it is within the scope of the presentdisclosure to dispense paper towels, facial tissues, cleaning orscrubbing wipes or substrates, wetting agents, lotions, medicinalagents, fragrancing agents, cleaning agents, and/or facial tissueseither in addition to or in place of the wet wipes and is toilet tissue.In various embodiments, the item-receiving cavities of the containerscan comprise fragrancing materials or fragrancing packets. In oneembodiment, fragrancing materials, such as hot melt adhesives comprisingperfumes, for example, may be positioned within the item-receivingcavities of the containers for diffusion into the items positionedwithin the cavities. Such hot melt adhesives are disclosed in U.S. Pat.No. 7,850,038, issued on Dec. 14, 2010, and entitled “ScentedContainer.” In other embodiments, scented polymer beads or gels can alsobe used.

In one embodiment, a portion of the apparatus can comprise indicia, suchas designs, logos, art work, instructions and/or branding information,thereon. In various embodiments, the indicia can be stamped into, moldedwith, formed with, engraved into, printed on, painted on, and/orstickered on the apparatus. In one embodiment, the indicia can comprisethe same color as the apparatus or a different color than the apparatus.

In one embodiment, referring to FIG. 1, an apparatus 10 for dispensing apaper product, such as toilet tissue, and at least one other item, suchas wet wipes, is illustrated engaged with an existing paper productholder 12, such as a toilet tissue holder. The paper product holder 12comprises a paper product bar 14, such as a toilet tissue bar. The paperproduct holder 12 is attached to and extends from a wall 16 or othersurface. In various embodiments, an existing paper product holder can berecessed within the wall 16 or other surface and the apparatus 10 canstill be used therewith, as described in greater detail below. Theapparatus 10 can be attachable to a container 18 of items, such as wetwipes, for example. The apparatus 10 can comprise a paper product hanger54 that, in various embodiments, can optionally comprise a paper productbar configured to retain a paper product, such as a roll of a paperproduct, thereon. Using the apparatus 10, a paper product and anotheritem can be dispensed from one apparatus in a convenient and compactfashion without the need for any modifications to current bathrooms,kitchens, or other areas, and without the need for any tools duringinstallation.

In one embodiment, referring to FIGS. 1-5, the apparatus 10 fordispensing a paper product and another item is illustrated. Theapparatus 10 can comprise a body 22 comprising a front 24, a back 26, atop 28, a bottom 30, a first side 32, and a second side 34. In variousembodiments, to any of the front 24, back 26, top 28, bottom 30, firstside 32, and second side 34 can have apertures defined therein. The body22 can define a slot 36 therethrough. In one embodiment, the slot 36 canextend intermediate or fully between the first side 32 and the secondside 34. The slot 36 can be configured to receive the existing paperproduct bar 14, such that the apparatus 10 can be engaged with anexisting paper product holder, such as the paper product holder 12, forexample, without tools. The back 26 can form a portion of a perimeter ofthe slot 36. The slot 36, owing to its length (in a direction extendinggenerally between the front 24 and the back 26), can allow forengagement of the apparatus 10 with existing paper product holders thatextend from a wall or that are recessed within a wall, thereby makingthe apparatus 10 universal. In one embodiment, if a paper product holderis recessed into a wall, the paper product bar 14 can be positionedwithin the slot 36 in an area proximate to the back 26. If a paperproduct holder is not recessed into a wall and extends from the wall,the paper product bar 14 can be positioned within the slot 36 in an areaproximate to the front 24.

In one embodiment, referring to FIGS. 2-5, the body 22 can comprise anadjustment assembly 40. A portion of the adjustment assembly 40 canextend into the slot 36. The adjustment assembly 40 can comprise aportion 41 comprising an arcuate surface 42 configured to engage thepaper product bar 14 and a biasing member 44 positioned intermediate theback 26 or a portion of a support 50 and the portion 41. In oneembodiment, the biasing member 44 can have a first end portion 46engaged with the back 26 or the portion of the support 50 and a secondend portion 48 engaged with the portion 41. The biasing member 44 cancomprise a compression spring or other suitable biasing mechanism. Thebiasing member 44 can normally bias the portion 41 toward the front 24of the body 22. Stated another way, the biasing member 44 cannormally-bias the portion 41 toward an area of the slot 36 proximate tothe front 24. As a result of the biasing member 44, the apparatus 10 canbe used with an existing paper product holder comprising a paper productbar, where the paper product holder extends from a wall or is recessedinto a wall. When a paper product holder is recessed into a wall, thebiasing member 44 can be compressed a first distance. When a paperproduct holder extends from a wall, the biasing member 44 can becompressed a second distance or not compressed at all. The firstdistance can be greater than the second distance.

In one embodiment, the support 50 can extend from the back 26. In otherembodiments, the support 50 can form a portion of the back 26 whilestill being movable with respect to the body 22. The support 50 can beused to engage a portion of a wall or a portion of a paper productholder to provide stability to the apparatus 10 when it is engaged witha paper product bar. The support 50 can also be used to prevent, or atleast inhibit, the apparatus 10 from moving or rotating relative to awall or a paper product holder during dispensing of a paper product oranother item therefrom. In various embodiments, the support 50 can befixed to the body 22 or can be movable relative to the body 22 to allowfor adjustment in the spacing between the support 50 and a wall or aportion of a paper product holder. In an embodiment where the support 50is fixed to the body 22, the slot 36 and the biasing member 44 can beprovided. In another embodiment, where the support 50 is movablerelative to the body 22, the slot 36 may not be required and an aperture(not illustrated) having a circular or ovate cross-section can be usedinstead of the slot 36 and can be positioned proximate to the back 22and extend from the first side 32 to the second side 34. The aperturecan be configured to receive a portion of the paper product bar 14therethrough. In one embodiment, the paper product bar 14 can fittightly within the aperture or a snug fit can exist between the paperproduct bar 14 and the apertures. In such embodiments, the biasingmember 44 may not be provided and another biasing member can extendbetween a wall defining the aperture or other wall and a back end 52 ofthe support 50 or another portion of the support 50. Such a biasingmember can be a compression spring and can compress or expand anysuitable distance to engage the back end 52 of the support 50 with awall or with a portion of a paper product holder to provide stability tothe apparatus 10 when engaged with a paper product bar. In anotherembodiment, where the support 50 is movable relative to the body 22, thesupport 50 can extend from the back 26 and can be movable between atleast a first position and a second position. The back end 52 of thesupport 50 can be a first distance from the back 26 when the support 50is in the first position and can be a second distance from the back 26when the support 50 is in the second position. The first distance can bedifferent than or greater than the first position.

In one embodiment, referring again to FIGS. 1-5, the apparatus 10 cancomprise one or more paper product hangers 54 extending from or attachedto the body 22. The paper product hangers 54 can be used to releasablyretain a roll of a paper product to the apparatus 10. The paper producthanger 54 can comprise a first projection 56 extending from the body 22and defining a first recess 58 therein and a second projection 60extending from the body 22 and defining a second recess 62 therein. Thefirst and second projections 56 and 60 can be engaged with the body 22,formed with the body 22, or attached to the body 22. The first recess 58can be in the same or a similar position on the first projection 56 asthe second recess 62 is on the second projection 60. A paper product bar64 can be positioned between and can engage the first recess 58 and thesecond recess 62. In another embodiment, the recesses can instead beapertures (not illustrated) in the first and second projections 56 and60. Each of the apertures can have a lip extending from a side wallthereof. The lip can be configured to engage an end portion of the paperproduct bar 64. The paper product bar 64 can be spring-loaded or cancomprise a biasing member such that it can be compressed to be engagedwith the first and second recesses 58 and 62 or the lips of theapertures and then expand its ends into the first and second recesses 58and 62 or lips of the apertures. In one embodiment of a paper producthanger, one of the first and second projections may not be provided anda rigid or compressible paper product bar may extend from the providedprojection to retain the roll of a paper product thereon. In such anembodiment, an end of the paper product bar can be enlarged or curvedsuch that the roll of the paper product would not slide off of the paperproduct bar during dispensing of the paper product.

In various embodiments, referring to FIG. 6, another paper producthanger 54′ is illustrated on an apparatus 10′ for dispensing a paperproduct and another item. The paper product hanger 54′ can comprise afirst projection 56′ defining a first slot 57 therein and a secondprojection 60′ defining a second slot 59 therein. The first and secondslots 57 and 59 can be configured to receive end portions of a paperproduct bar 64′. In one embodiment, the paper product bar 64′ can be arigid member or can comprise a spring or other biasing member to allowit to be compressed and/or expanded. In other embodiments, referring toFIG. 7, a paper product hanger 54″ can comprise an elongate paperproduct bar 64″ extending from a body 22″ of an apparatus 10″ fordispensing a paper product and another item. The paper product bar 64″can extend from a front side 24″, a back side 26″, a first side 32″, asecond side 34″, or a bottom side 30″ of the body 22″. In variousembodiments, the paper product bar 64″ can be movably or rotatablyattached to the body 22″, such that it can be swung into variouspositions relative to the body 22′. In other various embodiments, thepaper product bar 64″ can be positioned below the body 22″, above thebody, 22″, in front of the body″, or to a side of the body 22″, forexample. The elongate paper product bar 64″ can comprise an enlarged orcurved portion 39 on an end thereof. This enlarged or curved portion 39can prevent, or at least inhibit, a roll of a paper product from slidingoff of the paper product bar 64″ during dispensing of the paper product.

In one embodiment, referring to FIGS. 3-5, the top 28 of the body 22 cancomprise a shelf-like surface 66 configured to support the container 18thereon. The shelf-like surface 66 can be angled relative to a side wall68 of the slot 36 or angled in a direction away from a wall when theapparatus 10 is engaged with an existing paper product holder. Statedanother way, the side wall 68 can extend in a first direction away fromthe wall and the shelf-like surface 66 can extend in a second directionaway from the wall. The first direction can be transverse or parallel tothe second direction. The body 22 can be thicker proximate to the back26 (i.e., closest to the wall) and thinner proximate to the front 24(i.e., further away from the wall). This angling of the shelf-likesurface 66 can allow for easier access to the container 18 by a consumerwhen the apparatus 10 is engaged with an existing paper product holder.In its most simple form, however, the shelf-like surface 66 may not beangled relative to the side wall 68 of the slot 36 and instead can beparallel, or substantially parallel, to the side wall 68 of the slot 36.Stated another way, the shelf-like surface 66 can be generallyperpendicular to a plane of a wall when the apparatus 10 is engaged withan existing paper product holder. In one embodiment, the shelf-likesurface 66 can define a plurality of apertures 70 therein. In variousembodiments, although not illustrated, a shelf-like surface can defineone centrally located aperture therein and can support the container 18mainly proximate to the container's perimeter. The container 18 can reston the shelf-like surface or can be attached to the shelf-like surfaceusing adhesives, adhesive strips, magnets, and/or hook and loopfasteners, for example. In one embodiment, a shelf-like surface candefine a lip (not illustrated) at least partially surrounding itsperimeter and a portion of the container 18 can be positioned within oroutside of the lip to at least inhibit the container 18 from sliding offof the shelf-like surface or moving relative to the shelf-like surface.

In one embodiment, referring to FIGS. 2, 3, and 5A, the shelf-likesurface 66 can comprise an engagement member 72 extending therefrom. Theengagement member 72 can extend from the shelf-like surface 66 at leastabout 0.1 inches, alternatively, about 0.1 inches to about 1.5 inches,alternatively, about 0.2 inches to about 1 inch, and specificallyreciting all 0.1 inch increments within those ranges. The engagementmember 72 can have any suitable shape, such as a semi-circular shape, adome-like shape, a pillar-like shape, a cube-like shape, an arcuateshape, and/or a pyramid-like shape, for example. In such an embodiment,the container 18 can comprise a bottom surface or a recessed bottomsurface 74 having a complimentary recess 76 configured to at leastpartially receive the engagement member 72. The complimentary recess 76can extend into the container 18, relative to the cavity-facing side ofthe recessed bottom surface 74, at least about 0.1 inches,alternatively, about 0.1 inches to about 1.5 inches, alternatively,about 0.2 inches to about 1 inch, and specifically reciting all 0.1 inchincrements within those ranges. The engagement member 72 can at leastinhibit movement or sliding of the container 18, while positioned on theshelf-like surface 66, owing to its engagement with the complimentaryrecess 76 of the container 18. The engagement member 72 and thecomplimentary recess 76 of the container 18 can also aid a consumer inpositioning the container 18 on the shelf-like surface 66. Statedanother way, the engagement member 72 and the complimentary recess 76can essentially cause the container 18 to self-align on the shelf-likesurface 66 when engaged thereto. Of course, more than one engagementmember 72 can be provided on the shelf-like surface 66 and,correspondingly, more than one complimentary recess 76 can be defined inthe recessed bottom surface 74 of the container 18. In variousembodiments, the number of engagement members 72 extending from theshelf-like surface 66 can be the same as, less than, or greater than thenumber of complimentary recesses 76 in the recessed bottom surface 74 ofthe container 18. In other various embodiments, although notillustrated, the recessed bottom surface 74 can have the engagementmember extending therefrom and the shelf-like surface 66 can have thecomplimentary recess formed therein. Again, here, the engagement membercan be at least partially engaged with the complimentary recess to atleast inhibit sliding or movement of the container 18 with respect tothe shelf-like surface 66.

In one embodiment, referring to FIGS. 3-5 and 8A-8C, one or morealignment members 78 can extend from the shelf-like surface 66. Thealignment members 78 can be used to at least inhibit sliding or movementof the container 18 while the container is positioned on the shelf-likesurface 66 or while engaged with members extending from the shelf-likesurface 66. The alignment members 78 can be positioned proximate to orabout the perimeter of the shelf-like surface 66 such that they canengage or fit within and/or outside of a wall 80 at least partiallysurrounding and extending from the recessed bottom surface 74 of thecontainer 18. In one embodiment, the alignment members 78 can extendsubstantially or fully about the perimeter of the shelf-like surface 66.In various embodiments, the alignment members 78 can aid in thepositioning or alignment of the container 18 on the shelf-like surface66 owing to their positioning at or proximate to the perimeter of theshelf-like surface 66. In one embodiment, one or more of the alignmentmembers 78 can be engaged with portions of the wall 80 or portions ofthe recessed bottom surface 74 of the container 18. For example, if thewall 80 of the container 18 comprises a projection 82 extendingtherefrom in a direction transverse to a plane of a side of the wall 80,which defines a recess 84 or an aperture (not illustrated) between theprojection 82 and the recessed bottom surface 74, a portion of analignment member 78, such as a lip, could engage the projection 82and/or the recess 84 or aperture to engage the container 18 to thealignment member 78 and, thereby, the shelf-like surface 66. Such afeature can aid in preventing, or at least inhibit, movement of thecontainer 18 relative to the shelf-like surface 66 during dispensing ofitems, such as wet wipes, from the container 18.

In various embodiments, referring to FIGS. 3-5 and 8A-8C, one or moretabs 86 can extend from the shelf-like surface 66 either in addition toor in place of the one or more alignment members 78. The tabs 86 can beconfigured to engage a portion of the container 18 to retain thecontainer 18 to, or proximate to, the shelf-like surface 66. In oneembodiment, the shelf-like surface 66 can be generally square orrectangular and a tab 86 can extend proximate to, at, or about eachcorner of the shelf-like surface 66. Each tab 86 can comprise a lip 88extending therefrom. The lip 88 can extend in a perpendicular ortransverse direction with respect to a side wall of the tab 86. The oneor more tabs 86 can be used to engage the one or more projections 82 inthe wall 80 extending from the recessed bottom surface 74 of thecontainer 18. In one embodiment, the lip 88 of each of the tabs 86 canengage one of the projections 82 to form an interlocking engagement. Inother embodiments, one or more of the lips 88 can be engaged with one ormore of the projections 82 and/or one or more of the recesses 84 orapertures positioned intermediate the one or more projections 82 and therecessed bottom surface 74 of the container 18. In such a fashion, thecontainer 18 can be essentially interlocked with the tabs 86 such thatthe container 18 is relatively unmovable relative to the shelf-likesurface 66 during dispensing of the items or during other times. In oneembodiment, the container 18 can be removed from engagement with the oneor more tabs 86 by pulling the container 18 in a direction generallyaway from the shelf-like surface 66. Such removal can occur when theitems within the container 18 are used up, partially used up, orotherwise require replacement. A new container 18 can then be situatedon the shelf-like surface 66 as described above. In other variousembodiments, the container 18 can simply be refilled with items insteadof being replaced.

In one embodiment, referring to FIG. 4, one or more fragrance packets 27can be provided on, positioned on, or attached to any suitable portionof the apparatus 10, such as on the top 28 or on the second projection60, for example. The fragrance packets 27 can each comprise a perfume orfragrance that can diffuse into an environment surrounding the apparatus10. In one embodiment, the fragrance packets 27 can comprise a hot meltadhesive, such as the hot melt adhesive described above. In otherembodiments, the fragrance packets 27 can comprise scented polymer beadsor gels. A portion of the apparatus 10, such as the top 28 or the secondprojection 60, for example, can comprise a sleeve 29 configured toreceive at least a portion of one or more of the fragrance packets 27therein. In one embodiment, the body 22 can have a slot (notillustrated) defined therein and one or more fragrance packets 27 can beinserted at least partially therein. In other embodiments, one or moreof the fragrance packets 27 can be attached to a portion of theapparatus 10 using any suitable attachment methods known to those ofskill in the art. In one embodiment, a portion of the container 18, suchas the wall 80, for example, can define one or more apertures, slots, orrecesses therein to allow air to flow over or through the shelf-likesurface 66 to diffuse the perfume from the fragrance packet 27 situatedthereon.

In various embodiments, referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, a projection 90 isillustrated extending from a first side 33 and from a second side 35 ofan apparatus 11 for dispensing a paper product and another item. In suchan embodiment, the slot 36 may not be provided to receive a paperproduct bar. Instead, the projections 90 can be normally-biased awayfrom a body 23 of the apparatus 11 such that they can be engaged withrecesses or other structures of an existing paper product holder. Insuch an embodiment, the existing paper product holder does not need tocomprise an existing paper product bar or may comprise a paper productbar that does not need to be used. In various embodiments, theprojections 90 can be formed at end portions of a tube comprising aspring or other biasing member therein. The tube can extend through thebody 23 (e.g., through an aperture). In other embodiments, springs orother biasing members in each of the projections 90 can engage an end ofeach of the projections 90 on one end and the first side 33 and thesecond side 35 of the body 23 on the other end. In any event, theprojections 90 can engage recesses, lips in apertures, or otherstructures on existing paper product holders to engage the apparatus 11thereto. Such an embodiment can also comprise the various paper producthangers, as described above in greater detail above. Similar to theabove, the apparatus 11 can also comprise one or more tabs 86′ and/orone or more alignment members 78′. The apparatus 11 can also have anyother features described above with respect to the apparatuses 10, 10′,and 10″. In other various embodiments, the projections or a paperproduct bar can also extend from or be attached to the back 26 of thebody 23 and can be configured to engage an existing paper productholder. In various embodiments, from a back view of the body 23, theprojections and/or the paper product bar can extend in a generallyhorizontal direction further than the first and second sides of the body23 or less than the first and second sides of the body 23.

In one embodiment, referring to FIG. 11, the present disclosure providesa container 92 for one or more items 94, such as wet wipes, for example.The container 92 defines a cavity 96 therein for receiving one or moreof the items 94. The container 92 can comprise a top or lid 98 definingan opening (the opening is not illustrated in FIG. 11) therethoughthrough which one or more of the items 94 can be dispensed. Thecontainer 92 can also comprise a bottom 102 (e.g., a recessed bottomsurface although not illustrated in FIG. 11) having an indent 100 formedtherein. The indent 100 can extend into the cavity 96 and/or towards thetop or lid 98. In one embodiment, the indent 100 can form a dome shape,a semi-spherical shape, a cube-like shape, an arcuate shape, apillar-like shape, a pyramid-like shape, and/or a ridge-like shape, forexample. The indent 100 can extend into the cavity 96, relative to thecavity-facing side of the bottom 102, at least about 0.1 inches,alternatively, about 0.1 inches to about 1.5 inches, alternatively,about 0.2 inches to about 1 inch, and specifically reciting all 0.1 inchincrements within those ranges. Any number of the indents 100 can beprovided in the bottom 102 of the container 92. In various embodiments,one or more indents 100 can be positioned at any suitable position onthe bottom 102, such as about a midpoint or a central axis of the bottom102, for example. In one embodiment, the indent 100 can be at leastpartially engaged with an engagement member, such as engagement member72, for example, to releasably attach the container 92 with theshelf-like surface 66 or other suitable mount for the container 92.

In various embodiments, still referring to FIG. 11, the indent 100 inthe bottom 102 of the container 92 can be used to maintain moisturethroughout an entire stack of the items 94 positioned within the cavity96. Due to gravity, moisture within the stack of the items 94, such aswet wipes, for example, within the cavity 96 can migrate downwards, inthe direction indicated by arrow G, leaving the top portion of the items94 in the stack less wet or moist and the bottom portion of the items 94in the stack more wet or moist. While not intending to be bound by anytheory, it is believed that by providing the indent 100 extending fromthe bottom 102 of the container 92 into the cavity 96 having the items94 positioned therein, moisture can be better diffused throughout theentire stack of the items 94, as compared to a conventional container ofitems having a generally flat bottom wall or a bottom wall without anindent. As the moisture migrates downwardly, it can flow towards sidewalls 104 of the container 92 owing to the indent 100 being positionedin a central location or multiple central locations in the bottom 102.Stated another way, the indent 100 can raise a central portion of thestack of the items 94 relative to other portions of the stack of theitems 94 to cause the moisture within the stack to flow downwardly andoutwardly from the central portion. In one embodiment, the indent 100can form a ridge extending generally about a central portion or centralaxis of the bottom 102. The ridge can cause the items 94 to have a peakextending in a direction generally perpendicular or parallel to alongitudinal axis of the items 94. This can cause the moisture migratingdownward to flow toward the side walls 104 of the container 92. A gap106 can be formed within the cavity 96 between the side walls 104 of thecontainer 92 and the items 94. Moisture can accumulate in the gap 106owing to the indent 100. Once the moisture accumulates in the gap 106,it is believed that it can evaporate and diffuse back to the top portionof the stack of the items 94 in the direction indicated by arrows E,keeping the top portion substantially wet or moist. Without the indent100, moisture may be trapped under the bottom portion of the stack ofthe items 94 and may not be able to evaporate and diffuse back to thetop portion of the stack of the items 94.

In one embodiment, the container 92 can comprise a door (notillustrated) movable between a first, open position and a second, closedposition. The door can be configured to cover the opening in the top 98of the container 92 when in the second, closed position and configuredto allow access to the opening when the door is in the first, openposition. The door and/or an area surrounding the opening can comprise aseal or a sealing member (not illustrated) configured to prevent, or atleast inhibit, air from an environment of the container 92 from enteringthe cavity 96 and drying out or contaminating the items 94. The seal orsealing member can also be configured to prevent, or at least inhibit,air from the cavity 96, with moisture therein, from exiting the cavity96, thereby maintaining the items 94 in the saturated state. Othersealing members can be provided that do not actually have a sealingfunction, but that signal sealing to a consumer or provide otheraesthetic benefits.

The apparatuses of the present disclosure can be comprised of, formedof, and/or coated with any suitable material, such as plastic,anti-microbial materials, and/or anti-bacterial materials, for example.In other various embodiments, the apparatuses or containers can beconfigured to dispense anti-microbial lotions or soaps, anti-bacteriallotions or soaps, and/or other compounds, for example.

The apparatuses of the present disclosure can also be used withcontainers configured to provide or dispense warmed or heated wet wipes.Such containers are disclosed in U.S. Patent Publication No.2010/0032443, filed on Aug. 6, 2009, entitled “Dispenser for ProvidingWarm Wipes.”

The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be understood asbeing strictly limited to the exact numerical values recited. Instead,unless otherwise specified, each such dimension is intended to mean boththe recited value and a functionally equivalent range surrounding thatvalue. For example, a dimension disclosed as “40 mm” is intended to mean“about 40 mm.”

Every document cited herein, including any cross referenced or relatedpatent or application, is hereby incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety unless expressly excluded or otherwise limited. The citation ofany document is not an admission that it is prior art with respect toany invention disclosed or claimed herein or that it alone, or in anycombination with any other reference or references, teaches, suggests ordiscloses any such invention. Further, to the extent that any meaning ordefinition of a term in this document conflicts with any meaning ordefinition of the same term in a document incorporated by reference, themeaning or definition assigned to that term in this document shallgovern.

While particular embodiments of the present disclosure have beenillustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in theart that various other changes and modifications may be made withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is thereforeintended to cover in the appended claims all such changes andmodifications that are within the scope of this disclosure.

1. An apparatus for dispensing a paper product and another item, theapparatus comprising: a body defining a slot therein, wherein the slotis configured to receive a paper product bar therethrough, the bodycomprising: a back forming a portion of a perimeter of the slot; anadjustment assembly, wherein a portion of the adjustment assembly ispositioned within the slot and is biased away from the back; and a topcomprising a tab extending therefrom, wherein the tab is configured toengage a portion of a container configured to receive one or more items;and a paper product hanger extending from the body, wherein the paperproduct hanger is configured to retain a roll of a paper productthereon.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the body comprises asupport extending from the back of the body.
 3. The apparatus of claim1, wherein the paper product hanger comprises: a first projectiondefining a first recess therein; a second projection defining a secondrecess therein; and a paper product bar extending between the firstprojection and the second projection and engaged with the first recessand the second recess.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the paperproduct hanger comprises: a first projection defining a first slottherein; a second projection defining a second slot therein; and a paperproduct bar extending at least between the first projection and thesecond projection and engaged with the first slot and the second slot.5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus comprises a fragrancepacket.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the top comprises a secondtab extending therefrom, and wherein the second tab is configured toengage a portion of the container.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1,comprising a container configured to receive one or more items, whereinthe container comprises a recessed bottom surface at least partiallysurrounded by a wall extending therefrom, wherein the wall comprises aprojection extending therefrom in a direction transverse to a plane of aside of the wall, and wherein the tab is configured to any of engage theprojection and be positioned at least partially intermediate theprojection and the recessed bottom surface to retain the container tothe top.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the container comprises arecessed bottom surface at least partially surrounded by a wallextending therefrom, wherein the wall comprises a projection extendingtherefrom in a direction transverse to a plane of a side of the wall,and wherein the tab is configured to any of engage the projection and bepositioned at least partially intermediate the projection and therecessed bottom surface to retain the container to the top.
 9. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the top comprises an engagement memberextending therefrom, and wherein the engagement member is configured toengage a recess in a recessed bottom surface of the container.
 10. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the adjustment assembly comprises: aportion comprising an arcuate surface configured to engage the paperproduct bar; and a biasing member positioned intermediate the back andthe portion.
 11. An apparatus for dispensing a paper product and anotheritem, the apparatus comprising: a body defining a slot therein, whereinthe slot is configured to receive a paper product bar, the bodycomprising: a back; a support extending from the back, wherein thesupport is movable between a first position and a second position,wherein, in the first position, the support is a first distance from theback, wherein, in the second position, the support is a second distancefrom the back, and wherein the first distance is greater than the seconddistance; and a top comprising a tab configured to engage a portion of acontainer configured to receive one or more items; and a paper producthanger extending from the body, wherein the paper product hanger isconfigured to retain a paper product thereon.
 12. The apparatus of claim11, wherein the body comprises an adjustment assembly, wherein a portionof the adjustment assembly is positioned within the slot, and wherein aportion of the adjustment assembly is biased away from the back.
 13. Theapparatus of claim 11, wherein the slot comprises a side wall extendingin a first direction, wherein the top extends in a second direction, andwherein the first direction is transverse to the second direction. 14.The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the top comprises one or moreapertures defined therein.
 15. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein thetop comprises an alignment member extending therefrom, and wherein thealignment member is positioned proximate to a perimeter of the top. 16.The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the paper product is a roll of toilettissue, and wherein the other item is a wet wipe.
 17. A container for anitem, the container comprising: a cavity defined in the container,wherein the cavity is configured to receive the item; a top defining anopening, wherein the item is dispensable from the cavity through theopening; a bottom wall; and an indent formed in the bottom wall, whereinthe indent extends into the cavity.
 18. The container of claim 17,wherein the indent is positioned generally about a midpoint of thebottom wall.
 19. The container of claim 17, wherein the bottom wall isat least partially surrounded by a wall extending therefrom such thatthe bottom wall forms a recessed bottom surface of the container, andwherein the wall comprises a projection extending therefrom in adirection transverse to a plane of a side of the wall.
 20. The containerof claim 19, wherein a recess is defined at least partially intermediatethe projection and the recessed bottom surface.